Children’s Defense Fund ends year with program, celebration

Sunday, August 6, 2017

Special to The Vindicator

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Tabernacle Baptist Church’s Children’s Defense Fund Freedom School Group’s summer program culminated at the end of July. The students, shown above and below, performed skits highlighting various aspects of their learning experiences.

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YOUNGSTOWN

Tabernacle Baptist Church Children’s Defense Fund Freedom School hosted its final celebration of the year July 20. Lois Thornton, project director, Dominique Graves Robinson, site coordinator and Vernard Richberg, executive director worked with six interns (college students) to provide a daily literacy curriculum filled with activities for June and July.

The interns went through training in Knoxville, Tenn., and represented the University of Toledo, Youngstown State University, Westminster College and Eastern Gateway Community College.

The children who participated were in grades 2 through 6 and spent time reading books and learning activities appropriate to their developmental needs and interests. They were encouraged to dream, set goals for themselves and to cultivate positive attitudes and high expectations.

Michele Lepore Hagan, state representative, and Sarah Lowry, representing Ohio Sen. Sherrod Brown’s office, attended and spoke to the audience. The students performed skits highlighting various aspects of their learning experiences.